...Masato Nakazawa is trying to win a spot in the starting rotation and likely helped himself out with his performance on Saturday against the Rakuten Eagles: 6 IP, 25 BF, 98 NP, 7 H, 1 SO, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

=== 3:20pm JST

...Shigeru Takada told reporters on Friday that 2nd round draft pick Tetsuya Yamamotowill be undergoing surgery on his right elbow on the 19th at a hospital in Tatebayashi, Gunma -- it seems he may have ruptured a ligament in his elbow. Yamamoto hurt the elbow during an exhibition game that was played on the 2/20 against the Chunichi Dragons (2 IP, 7 BF, 26 NP, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 0 R, 0 ER).